Textiles & Fashion Design

Design and create a garment of your own

Textiles & Fashion Design

This program is for artists looking to contribute to the ever-evolving fashion world. Students will discuss trends and the future of fashion, from gender and sustainability to materiality, and learn to apply those concepts to the design and creation of a finished garment to add to their portfolio — or better yet, their wardrobe.

*18 year old students only accepted as part of a group where all students are returning to secondary education in September 2024. 18 year olds must follow all school rules as minors. Separate rules apply regarding lessons and activities, please enquire.

Textiles & Fashion Design Course Overview

Tuition

Enjoy practical skills workshops leading to designing and constructing your own garment for a runway show.
Activities

Enjoy a variety of onsite activities including sports, arts and team games. Our activities allow students to use the English they have learnt and make international friends.
Educational Visits

These visits provide the perfect complement to lectures and workshops and provide a real-world perspective to our courses.

Excursions

Excursions allow students to really get to know the USA. In Boston, students will find historic and cultural information through guided walking tours and visits to museums and other places of interest.
Certificate

Awarded for the successful completion of the course.

What You Will Learn

In this course, students will develop skills across all phases of the garment design and crafting process. Workshops and classes will focus on design, illustration, pattern draping and drafting, and garment construction. We will explore design through the conventional sketching, as well as collage, draping, and a variety of other methods. Learn easy-to-use illustration techniques to improve the quality and effectiveness of your visual communication abilities, and bring your first design from paper to a fully formed fabric creation.

Through our Textiles & Fashion Program you will::

Have gained the basic knowledge and understanding of the processes involved in garment design and making from your highly experienced tutor.
Have been introduced to design briefs that challenge your understanding and knowledge of contemporary fashion.
Have experienced the fast-paced process of putting together a runway show.

Activities & Excursions

Students on this course will enjoy one full day excursion per week. Destinations may include Boston, Rhode Island and Canobie Lake Park. Evening activities are varied and fun and may include discos, talent shows and international evenings.

Sample Timetable

Week 1	MORNING 08:45 - 12:00	AFTERNOON 13:00 - 16:00	EVENING 19:30 - 22:00
SUN	Arrival at accommodation and induction		Movie Night
MON	Welcome/ Inspiration Board Introduction	Finalize Inspiration Board and begin design process	Welcome Party: Team Building/ Name Games
TUES	Finalize design project and fabric store field trip	Included Half-day Excursion: Boston Harbor Cruise	Halloween Party
WED	Introduction to sewing machines/ tote-bag project	Continue tote-bag project/ begin cutting garment project	Jeopardy Quiz Night
THU	Cut garment pattern from fabric	Begin work on garment sewing	Karaoke Night
FRI	Final Design Project Presentation and Final Design Introduce collage design project and continue sewing	Free Time on Newbury Street/ Public Gardens	Neon Disco Party
SAT	Included Full Day Excursion: Canobie Lake Park		Gym Night / Board Games / Arts & Crafts

Week 2	MORNING 08:45 - 12:00	AFTERNOON 13:00 - 16:00	EVENING 19:30 - 22:00
SUN	Onsite activities e.g. Team Building Games and shuttles to the mall		Movie Night
MON	Continue garment sewing and introduction to garment finishing techniques	Included Half-day Excursion: Museum of Science	Welcome Party: Team Building/ Name Games
TUES	Studio sewing	Field trip to Wrentham Premium Fashion Outlets	Mardi Gras Party
WED	Studio sewing	Studio sewing and apply finishing techniques to garments	Minute to Win It Competition
THU	Garment finishing and preparation for photo shoot	Editorial photo-shoot with guest photographer	International Night
FRI	Garment and photo-shoot critique with guest speaker	Included Half-day Excursion: Historical Tour of Plymouth	Hawaiian Disco Party
SAT	Included Full Day Excursion: Newport, Rhode Island		Gym Night / Board Games / Arts & Crafts

*This is a sample timetable and all elements are subject to change.

Student Success

“I wanted to attend an Ivy league school and CATS Academy Boston has made it possible. I have been constantly supported by my college counsellors. The environment in CATS Boston has provided me with an opportunity to excel.”

Karolina from UkraineProgressed to Brown University (#9 Best National University Ranking 2024) 

“I think CATS provides a wide array of extracurricular activities and leadership opportunities. I am a Prefect for my dorm and captain of the Ultimate Frisbee team. In the U.S, they take a lot of your activities into consideration. It’s part of their holistic review process so they will not only look at your academics but also your activities or the extra experiences you’ve had outside of school.” 

David from MexicoProgressed to University of Washington (#40 Best National University Ranking 2024)

“I really enjoy the culture at CATS Boston and the atmosphere in this highly dynamic boarding school. I believe that being immersed in the environment that has over 35 nationalities is a huge benefit for students to learn about different cultures and traditions. This place has really changed not only my academic experience, but also the way that I react to the surrounding world, and really changed my perspective.” 

DoHa from VietnamDoHa received 21 college acceptances, including Columbia University, and went on to study at Georgetown University (#22 Best National University Ranking 2024)

“I would say if a student is seeking to get more opportunities and develop anything they’re passionate about, come to CATS Boston. If you want to start learning guitar or want to develop your art skills or want to debate, you can just go for it. You have the resources and everything here. You have open doors in front of you, just step in and do what you want to do.” 

Jude from Bahrain 

“My favourite thing about CATS Boston is that it offers me so many opportunities. Especially when you’re in an area like this, around Boston, around schools like Harvard, MIT, Boston College, Boston University. We take part in competitions and visits to these places which really motivates me.” 

Mia from Vietnam 